Educational entertainment device



Dec. 16, 1947. BURNETT 2,432,655

EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE Filed April 22, 1946 grwe/wtoo [e2 ZZZwaif Patented Dec. 16, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT F I ,CE

4 Claims.

This invention relates to relatively movable elements adapted for rangeof set-up positions of rest.

This invention has utility when incorporated in special units for rangeof static positions of assembly, as an efligy or figure toy at balancedpositions of stability upon a ladder upstanding at an angle ofequilibrium for the effigy thereon.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the invention in aladder, balanced into an upwardly inclined position by a jointedclown-likeness efiigy, at a lower location for set-up or assembly as tothe ladder, a portion of one of the rails of the ladder being brokenaway to show the foot of the effigy in its coaction with a ladder rungand Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, but with the equilibriumestablished by the effigy at a higher ascent assembly with the ladder, aportion of a rail of the ladder being broken away.

Upon a firm horizontal flat base or support I, may rest complementaryflat face ends 2 of a pair of parallel side rails 3, 4, of a ladder typeof miniature device having uniformly spaced therealong rungs 5. It is tobe noted that the direction. of the plane of the ladder end facesZ isnot at right angles to that of the ascent direction of the ladder siderails. Applicant has adopted an inclination of 15 as an inclination orforward pitch for the ladder rigid assembly element at which the extentof the face 2 from front to back establishes a region of stability, or arange in which it is desirable to develop a set-up for the toy in whichthe assembly center of gravity shall fall. When the assembly be soadjusted, it is static thruout, with no rocking or oscillation, eventhough there may be slight vibration of the support I.

In the carrying forward of this achievement, a relatively shiftableelement is provided. Furthermore, with joints, or relatively movableparts therefor, there is thereby multiplied the range of locations forstability, beyond the mere shifting to different assembly relations withthe rungs of the ladder.

The additional device is of attractive form for entertaining childrenwhen incorporated as an efi'lgy of clown-like contour and decoration,comprising a torso 6 with a pivot I for hinge mounting of a pair oflower limbs 8, 9.

In the ladder assembly, bottom of the foot arch 8 engages over a lowerrung, as the top of toe portion Ill rides back of the next rung upward.This establishes an outward location for the pivot 1, herein slightlyforward or away from the vertical or riser line I I, which means asagainst the normal weight or center of gravity for the ladder as to theright of this line II in Fig. 1, the pivot I is so located that thetorso 6 may be at the opposite :side of this line II. The child, or oneinterested in this educational or amusement device has as the problem,so to shift the torso 6 on the pivot I that the center of gravity of theassembly with the ladder of this effigy shall be located within theextent of the ends 2 0n the support I.

A pivot I2 provides hinge mounting for armlike elements I3, I4, which asswingable on the torso 6, may further disturb the center of gravitylocation. The pivots I, I2, are sufiiciently firm to hold frictionally,the lizrnbs 8, 9, I3, I4, in a placed position therefor.

Ascent of the ladder, that is, a location for the efiigy more remotefrom the support I, requires for stability a rocking of the efiigy orthe limbs thereof further from the ladder. The attractiveness of theentertainment feature is that here is a ladder standing against nothingat its upper end, the ladder base being unattached, and the clown objectbeing only foot-hooked therewith.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a first element having a planar face adapted tocoact for support on a planar base with the element directed in anunstable riser direction therefrom, of a second element havingselectable detachable support upon the first element by engagementspaced from the base directing the second element oppositely from theunstable direction of the first element to an extent to stabilize thefirst element.

2. An educational toy entertainment device comprising a miniature ladderhaving a pair of side rails and connecting rungs, adjacent ends of theside rails forming a planar base to direct the ladder in a forward pitchunstable relation, and a jointed effigy including a torso and a hookinglimb, said limb adapted to engage a ladder rung and the torso adjustablerelatively thereto sufiicient to neutralize the unstable pitch relationof the ladder.

3. A device for equilibrium set-up from a planar base, said devicecomprising a riser member having a planar face to rest on the base fordirecting the member in unstable relation thereto, and an elementadjustably connected to the member in extent oppositely from thedirection of the unstable relation to locate the vertical line passingthrough the center of gravity of the assembled device Within the boundsof the member REFERENCES CITED planar face.

4. Afirst element ladder having aforward pitch The following referencesare of record in the direction from flat base portion at an obtuse 5 meof this Patent: angle to the ladder upward extent, and a second elementof effigy type adapted for selective en- UNITED STATES PATENTS gagementwith and to extend opposite from the ladder pitch, Said efiigy beingadjustable re1a,- 259 5 g gig; gg tively to the member in coactmg toestablish a 10 1,766I282 Colbert v June 1930 balance for the assembly.

LEE BURNETT.

